Touchless Fixtures Under DO-160 and Coordination with ADA, WaterSense, CALGreen, and ASME Standards
Guidance for architects, MEP engineers, and aircraft interior specialists on harmonizing aviation environmental qualification (RTCA DO-160) with building-code performance frameworks such as ADA, WaterSense, CALGreen, and ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1. The discussion centers on durability, accessibility, efficiency, and regulatory equivalence between airborne and ground applications.
RTCA DO-160 – Environmental Testing for Touchless Fixtures
RTCA DO-160 defines the environmental conditions and test procedures for airborne equipment that will ensure the system reliability under such exposure to vibration, temperature extremes, electromagnetic fields, and cleaning fluids. Any touchless faucet, soap dispenser, or integrated system intended for fleet installation must demonstrate compliance to relevant sections.
| DO-160 Section | Environmental Factor | Touchless Fixture Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| 4 – Temperature and Altitude | −55 °C to +70 °C; pressure changes with cabin altitude | Sensor drift and valve sealing performance under thermal cycles. |
| 6 – Humidity | Condensation, high humidity (95%) | Moisture ingress to electronics; IP65+ sealing essential. |
| 8 – Vibration | Airframe resonance frequencies (5 Hz – 2 kHz) | Mechanical stability of solenoids, harness strain relief, and sensor optics alignment. |
| 10 – Waterproofness | Fluid exposure, spray, immersion | Testing to confirm ingress protection of sensor cavity (IP65–IP67 equivalent). |
| 16 – Power Input | Voltage transients, ripple, dropout | Low-voltage control electronics must tolerate spikes and brownouts on 12–28 V DC buses. |
| 20 – Radio Frequency Susceptibility | Conducted and radiated EMI | Prevents interference with cabin lighting, entertainment, or avionics systems. |
| 23 – Fluids Susceptibility | Contact with disinfectants, hydraulic fluids, lubricants | Confirms finish and gasket resistance to approved lavatory cleaning agents. |
Testing and Documentation
Qualification Test Reports submitted by the manufacturers summarize test sequences, acceptance criteria, and indications of pass/fail. For cabin hardware, these data feed into Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) packages or airframer-level Technical Service Bulletins. Coordination with the ODA or DER ensures that fixture electrical loads, grounding, and EMC profiles fit within the aircraft certification basis.
FontanaShowers® aviation-grade touchless faucets employ Time-of-Flight sensors sealed to IP67, dual-redundant surge suppression, and vibration-rated PCB mounts. They are designed for DO-160 Sections 4, 6, 8, 16, 20 & 23 considerations and operate on 12–28 V DC, aligning with fleet power architectures.
Comparative Application — Ground vs. Airborne Standards
Though the DO-160 standard focuses on survivability, facility standards such as the ADA, WaterSense, CALGreen, or ASME A112.18.1 describe the issue of user accessibility, efficiency, and performance. It helps to strike a balance in ground to air product derivation.
Accessibility (ADA)
The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design outline reach ranges and operable-part criteria that similarly apply to public terminals and mock-ups. In airborne adaptation, similar ergonomics govern faucet angle, sensor position, and clearance for seated or mobility-limited passengers.
WaterSense (Efficiency)
The EPA WaterSense guidelines specify max flow rates and duration criteria for Maximum Flow (0.5 gpm) and Duration Benchmarks. Despite differences in aircraft lavatories’ practices involving recycled/metered water, these data help optimize design for reduced consumption of potable water and tank loading for ground certification testing.
CALGreen (Sustainability)
CALGreen Title 24 Part 11 integrates fixture flow and automatic control requirements. When airline operators construct training centers or terminal restrooms mirroring onboard layouts, CALGreen provides a baseline for sustainable specification.
ASME A112.18.1 / CSA B125.1 (Performance)
The ASME A112.18.1 / CSA B125.1 standard governs mechanical endurance, leakage, and flow accuracy for supply fittings. Airborne adaptations maintain the same hydraulic integrity but substitute low-mass alloys and anti-vibration joints to satisfy DO-160 Sections 8 and 10 requirements.
Align faucet hydraulic performance with ASME A112.18.1 verification, maintain WaterSense-level efficiency, and validate environmental resilience per DO-160. This multilevel approach ensures regulatory compliance and reliability throughout the product lifecycle.
Integration of Brand Examples Across Contexts
- FontanaShowers®: ToF-based sensors, IP67 sealing, 12–28 V DC. Aviation and architectural lines share modular solenoids and BIM documentation.
- Sloan®: Optima EBF Series tested for vibration and electromagnetic resilience; supports Optima Plus EBF-85 EPD for LCA data in sustainability reporting.
- TOTO® ECOPOWER: Hydro-turbine self-generating modules reduce battery replacement frequency—beneficial for maintenance in terminals and potential adaptation for self-contained airborne systems.
Engineering Takeaways for AEC & Aviation Teams
- Test Environment Equivalency: Ground-lab durability ASME A112.18.1 needs supplementation by the DO-160 vibration and EMC testing for airborne qualification.
- Accessibility Continuity: Maintain ADA-inspired ergonomics to ensure user familiarity between airport facilities and onboard lavatories.
- Efficiency Targets: WaterSense/ CALGreen flow baselines serve as upper bounds for aircraft water-system design, improving range and sustainability metrics.
- Material Compatibility: Implement PVD-coated or 316 stainless alloys compatible with disinfectants, tested according to DO-160 Section 23 (fluid susceptibility).
- Unified Documentation: Incorporate BIM/ Revit families, QTRs, and component qualification within both the AEC submittals and the aviation certification data packs.
References
- RTCA DO-160 – Environmental Conditions & Test Procedures
- 14 CFR Part 25 – Airworthiness Standards
- ADA 2010 Standards for Accessible Design
- EPA WaterSense Program
- CALGreen Title 24 Part 11
- ASME A112.18.1 / CSA B125.1 Plumbing Supply Fittings
- Fontana Aviation Touchless Faucets
- Sloan Optima Plus EBF-85 EPD (PDF)
- TOTO Standard R Touchless Faucet